PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors in oesophago-gastric cancers

Tugba Akin Telli; Giacomo Bregni; Silvia Camera; Amelie Deleporte; Alain Hendlisz; Francesco Sclafani

doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2019.10.036

PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors in oesophago-gastric cancers

Cancer Lett. 2020 Jan 28:469:142-150. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.10.036. Epub 2019 Oct 25.

Authors

Tugba Akin Telli¹, Giacomo Bregni¹, Silvia Camera¹, Amelie Deleporte¹, Alain Hendlisz¹, Francesco Sclafani²

Affiliations

¹ Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Jules Bordet - Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium.
² Gastrointestinal Unit, Department of Medical Oncology, Institut Jules Bordet - Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 31669518
DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2019.10.036

Abstract

Oesophago-gastric cancers (OGCs) are aggressive tumours. While better peri-operative strategies, increased number of cytotoxic agents and availability of targeted therapies have improved survival, there remains an unmet need for novel treatment approaches. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have marked a new era in cancer management with unprecedented results in several malignancies. Although OGC lagged behind other solid tumours, evidence has increasingly accumulated supporting the contention that modulation of the anti-cancer host immune response may be beneficial for at least some patients. Many trials have been completed in Eastern and Western countries, some of these leading to the approval of ICIs in the refractory setting, and favorable opinion from regulatory agencies is expected also in treatment-naïve, advanced OGC. Furthermore, studies are evaluating ICIs in the early stage setting and exploring the potential of combination treatments. In this article we discuss the biological bases underlying the successful development of ICIs in OGC and review the available data on PD-1 and PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies in this disease. Also, we present ongoing clinical trials of these ICIs that could shape the future treatment landscape of OGC.

Keywords: Immune checkpoint inhibitors; Immunotherapy; Oesophageal-gastric cancer; PD-1; PD-L1.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / pharmacology
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized / therapeutic use
Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / pharmacology
Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use*
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use*
B7-H1 Antigen / antagonists & inhibitors
B7-H1 Antigen / immunology
B7-H1 Antigen / metabolism
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / methods
Disease-Free Survival
Esophageal Neoplasms / immunology
Esophageal Neoplasms / mortality
Esophageal Neoplasms / pathology
Esophageal Neoplasms / therapy*
Esophagectomy
Esophagogastric Junction / immunology
Esophagogastric Junction / pathology*
Esophagogastric Junction / surgery
Gastrectomy
Humans
Nivolumab / pharmacology
Nivolumab / therapeutic use
Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / antagonists & inhibitors
Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / immunology
Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor / metabolism
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
Signal Transduction / drug effects
Signal Transduction / immunology
Stomach Neoplasms / immunology
Stomach Neoplasms / mortality
Stomach Neoplasms / pathology
Stomach Neoplasms / therapy*

Substances

Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
B7-H1 Antigen
CD274 protein, human
PDCD1 protein, human
Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
Nivolumab
pembrolizumab